Apparatus and method for packaging compressible pouches

Apparatus for packaging longitudinally compressible pouches in a packing case comprising:

• (a) pouch infeed conveyor means for advancing at least two pouches into a load station where they are provided in side-by-side relationship as an array,
• (b) means for supporting an upwardly open case below the load station,
• (c) counter-rotating paddle assemblies at said load station, each assembly having at least one paddle shaft, means supporting said paddles for pivotal movement on paddle axes, and means for moving said paddles from a horizontal position wherein two such paddles in said respective assemblies support the side-by-side pouches to vertical positions such that the side-by-side pouches are compressed longitudinally between the spaced paddles as they drop downwardly into the packing case between said spaced paddles, each paddle assembly further includes a guide wall oriented perpendicularly to said paddle, said guide walls being upright when said two paddles are arranged horizontally to receive the pouches and said guide walls spaced laterally relative to one another to provide clearance for receiving the pouches at the load station without causing compression of the pouches longitudinally.